According to Schein, there are two central forces at play in creating the Deaf Community. The first “centrifugal force” pushes Deaf and hard of hearing people AWAY from the hearing majority (through alienation and discrimination). The second centrifugal force pulls Deaf and hard of hearing people TOWARD each other because of their shared experiences and affiliation (referred to in Deaf Learners, Moores, 2006, p 116). Padden and Humphries (1988), also quoted in Moores book, adds that the Deaf community may include people who are themselves not deaf but who actively support the goals of the Deaf community and work with (rather than for) Deaf people.
Below is a list of Deaf organizations in the province of BC:
Deaf Organizations:
Deaf Sports:
Services:
ACE-BC – Inclusive Learning Though Equitable Access
Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Deaf-Blind Well-Being Program
IDHHC- Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre
MIS- Medical Interpreting Service
Provincial Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
Provincial Resource Program – Auditory Outreach
WAVLI- West Coast Association of Visual Language Interpreters
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility
Deaf Youth and Children:
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre
Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre of BC
Family Network for Deaf Children
Provincial Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
ASL Courses:
Douglas College ASL Courses – Introductory Program